FREEPORT — Highland Community College’s Agriculture program played host to more than 200 attendees at its annual Farm to Table dinner on Sept. 8. Guests enjoyed a five-course meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients from 24 area producers and processors.
Before enjoying dinner, guests had a chance to chat with current Highland Agriculture students and see the equipment and technology used in the classroom.
“We were excited to bring back the HCC Farm to Table dinner this year,” said Agriculture Instructor Justin Ebert. “It provides a great opportunity to bring together agricultural producers and consumers to showcase the impact agriculture has on the local economy.”
The meal offered tomatoes and cucumbers grown in Ridott, pork from Pearl City, oats from Pecatonica and yogurt made in Freeport along with syrup produced in Orangeville, honey harvested in Davis and apples grown in Mt. Morris. Contributors included AJ’s Lena Maid Meats; BerryView Orchard; Bright Farms; Deerland Dairy; FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative; Fields of Promise Produce; Firehouse Seed & Service Inc.; the Freeport High School Student Garden; Greenlight Acres; Hazzard Free Farm; Hinrichs Family Farm; Hogback Haven Maple Farm; Jack & Co. Elderberry Syrup; Lena Brewing Company; Massbach Ridge Winery; Prairie Farms Dairy; Raines Honey Farm; The Rafters Restaurant, Catering, and Events; Razorback Farms Inc.; Savencia Cheese USA; Schlachter Farm Flowers; Sheffey Farms Inc.; Stephenson County Pork Producers; Sullivan’s Foods; and Top Fox Snacks.
The evening was made possible not only by producers and processors, but by businesses and individuals who sponsored tables. Sponsors were Adkins Energy LLC; Citizens State Bank; Compeer Financial; Derek Dietmeier; Eastland Feed & Grain Inc.; Exchange State Bank; German American State Bank; Grade Solutions LLC; High Plains Pork; Jim & Deb Endress and Family; Kentland Farms; Pearl City Elevator Inc.; Pioneer Seed; Prairie State Tractor; Solutions Bank; State Bank of Freeport; State Representative Andrew Chesney; Stephenson County Democrats; Stephenson Service Company; University of Illinois Extension Serving JoDaviess, Stephenson, Winnebago Counties; Urish Farms; and Vita Plus Corporation.
“The outpouring of support of the Agriculture program from our contributors and sponsors is very humbling and greatly appreciated,” said Ebert. “The Highland Community College Agriculture department thanks everyone who participated in the 2022 Farm to Table dinner.”
For more information on the Agriculture program at Highland, click here. You can also contact instructors Justin Ebert at justin.ebert@highland.edu or 815-599-3507 and Monica Pierce at monica.pierce@highland.edu or 815-599-3637.